Senator Humberto Costa (PT-PE) used a plenary speech to back Provisional Measure (MP) 1,394/2026, which banned online betting in Brazil and ended related advertising and sponsorship.
He also cited the decision by Supreme Federal Court Justice Luiz Fux to suspend lower-court cases challenging the measure's constitutionality until a definitive ruling.
Costa framed the ban as a public health decision and, indeed, his views echo what was said by politicians at the Brazilian Supreme Court's November 3 hearing.
"It wasn't a decision against sport, it wasn't a decision against freedom; it was a decision in favor of life, it was the Brazilian State finally saying 'enough,'” he said.
“The casinos were entering homes, emptying the kitchen, silencing conversations in the living room, occupying our children's bedrooms and draining the pocket of every worker.”
He cited Health Ministry data showing that 28 million Brazilians bet in the past 12 months, with almost 11 million showing risk behavior. Costa said gambling disorder has been shifted onto the public healthcare system (SUS) "by betting companies and their defenders," and that demand for SUS care for betting-related conditions has grown 200%.
The senator also challenged the argument that the ban endangers football financing. In 2025, betting operators paid about BR1bn ($193m) to Série A clubs, around 7% of those teams' revenue, he said.
"Brazilian football existed before betting. We were, as President Lula said, five-time world champions without a cent from a betting house on the shirt. Our clubs won the Libertadores long before this market existed,” he concluded.
“And who sponsored them? Banks, public companies, fuel, food, telecommunications and health companies. Those sectors are still there. Football lives off television, ticket sales, membership programs, shirt sales, prize money and player transactions."
Flamengo has been fined by CONMEBOL for displaying a message opposing the betting ban during a match
